Injection apparatus



March 19, l957 G. N. HEIN, JR

INJECTION APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed May l0, 1952 March 19, 1957 G. N. HEIN, JR

INJECTION APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May l0. 1952 aS l x March 19, 1957 G. N. HE1N,JR 2,735,678

INJECTION APPARATUS Filed May l0, 1.952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ff' j@ f4 INVENTOR. @afge M efh, J1: BY AV h 541. l 9- i QW @L fm.,

arrow/'5X5 2,785,678 Y INJECTION APPARATUS Y George N. Hein, Jr., San Carlos, Calif.

ApplicafionMay 1o, 1952, serial No. 287,185

12 claims. (ci. 12s- 173) This invention relates to a structurally and functionally improved hypodermic apparatus of a type such that medicament may be expelled in a sufiiciently fine stream and at a velocity such that it will be capable ofpenetrating the epidermis and underlying tissues to achieve the dcsired injection Without the aid of a skin-piercing needle.

In certain respects, the present application Acovers 1 an improved assembly over that disclosed in my prior United States application for Hypodermic Injection Apparatus, Ser. No. 257,263, filed November 20, 1951, Aand now Patent No. 2,667,871.

It is a primary object to provide a mechanism of this type which may be easily operated to provide precise dosages of hypodermically injected medicament; the -present apparatus moreover being capable of adjustment so that the injection pressures may, within limits, be' varied.

'An additional object is'that lof furnishing an improved apparatus which will include relatively few and rugged parts capable of ready assembly and manufacture and which will operate over long periods of time with freedom from all diiculties. s

With these and other objectsin mind, reference is had to the attached sheets of drawings illustrating practical embodiments ofthe invention and in which:

' Fig. 1 is a sectional side view! of an apparatus and showing .the parts of the same prior torcocking;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken along line the direction of the arrows-as in Fig. 'l'g l Y Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing parts ad. justedtoY positions different than shown in that gure; y lFig.`4 is a fragmentary planview taken Yalong line 4'-' inthe direction of the arrows as in Fig..1; t j Fig. 5 is a face view of the nozzle tip; y

j Fig. 6 is a sectional side view taken alongiline 6-6,in the direction of the arrows as in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the posii tion'whichthe parts assume after tiring or dischargea,

Fig. 8 isa side elevation of one form of apparatusV conA structed in accordance with the present teachings;

Y Fig. 9 isa perspective view. of one of the lock slideclements which are employed; s `Fig. 10 shows a form of medicament .chamber or am-l pule alternative to that shown in Figs. 1 and7; g YFiggll Vis ra sectional side view of a further form* of latchwhich may form a part of the apparatus;V ,Y Y l Y -Fig. 12 is a fragmentary'sectional View of an alternativeform of`powering mechanism; Y A Y Fig. 413fisv an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of another latch structure;

Fig.V 14 is a view -similar to Fig. 13v showing` the:

parts inadifferent position; and

Fig. 15 is a transverse sectional view taken along thel line 15-15 and in the directionof the arrows vas inl-iig;`

13 Referring primarily to Figs. 1, 7,'andrr8, yit be 'seen that the Yreference numeral 1 5 indicates the outer or'nose portion ofthe apparatus Yto which ,therejs applied a loaglf.

2,785,678 Patented Mar. 19, 1957 ing cap 16. These parts may be coupled by screw threads or in any other desired manner. Extending rearwardly from the nose piece 15 is the main portion of the casing which ,conveniently embraces a sleeve 17.v Shiftable within the latter is a piston 18 in the form of a cup having a forward extension or plunger portion 19. -Contained within the forward assembly of the apparatus is the medicament chamber with which this plunger portionor its equivalent cooperates. The sleeve may be formed with one or more venting openings (not shown) soithalt the piston may freely shift.

According to one preferredY embodiment of the invention, the medicamentv chamber is defined by ibo'res formed in nose piece 15 and loading cap 16. Within the base of the recess provided inthe nose piece a ring-shaped meniber or washer 20 of relatively hard rubber or Ysimilar material is disposed. The central opening of this element is such that it slidingly engages the outer face-of plunger 19 as the latter is shifted. Forwardly of the ring 20, the recess of nose piece 15 accommodates a sleeve 21 also formed of rubber orY similar material. The recess of loading cap 16 accommodates a corresponding sleeve 22. Both of these sleevesmay be secured against displacement by providing the same with one or more annular ribs 23 keying into corresponding recesses formed inthe adjacent surfaces of the nose piece and cap. The material of sleeves 21 and 22 preferably embraces the same characteristics. They may be relatively soft incomparison with the material of ring 29 although under certain circumstances the resistance to constrictionby all these parts may be moreor less equal. In any event, it will be understood that when the cap is positioned upon the nose piece and with plunger 19 in the retracted position shown in Fig. l, a medicament chamber is deiinedV between ring element 20, the sleeves 21'and 22 and the inner face of cap 16.

" Within this' chamber, an ampule is disposed. That am- V pule inV accordance with the present teachings includes a tubular body 24 formed of glass or any otherV suitable material. A body of medicament 25`is contained within the ampule. The forward end of the Vlatter is sealed by stopper 26,which is conveniently Vof the headed type and provides` a perforable diaphragm portion. Closing the rear end of the ampule is a stopper 27 of the piston type which is conveniently disposed well within the bore of tube 24. To the rear of that stopper, a body 28 of 'owable material is disposed. Such `material may be conveniently wax or paran but in the final analysis may include a mass of any suitable substance which has properly displaceable characteristics. As shown, its rear face may terminate substantially ush with orslightlyspaced teo infinward direction from the rear edges of tube 24. Accordingly,rthe ampule willbe a self-contained unit with no projecting parts. It is also obvious ith'at the mass ofmaterial 28 may embody resistance to tei'npeifaturesV of for example up to 200 F. so that it will not be displaced or improperly disposed with respect to the remaining ampule parts when subjected to any temperatures Whichit may 'be expected to ordinarily encounter in storage, handling and shipment. v Y' In order to establish communication with theinterior offtheampule andalso to dene a medicament rcolumn of suicient neness that the epidermis may bepenetrated without employing a skin-piercing needle, a nozzle unit is'employed which has been separatelyshown in Figs.

5 and' 6. This unit conveniently includes an enlarged the forward end of the cannula and Aextends outwardly' `fron1-lJase-'29.` nozileis formed with an orifice 32 Y incorporating the Adesired restrictive A)area to V'assure -a -de Vlining of a fine stream or column of medicament as the Y `with.theesrkiruolz othersurface without-fear of 'the 'nozzle --secured Y to shaft 55.

substantially of 90.

A sleeve 59. Therefore shaft 55 and handle 56 will nor- ;-n'iovinglatenallya `-In otherwords,;incidentto thenaitural loilinssof Ihe slginsurface :or dueitotthe'.collection'lof ulfll; fh@ interruptions V3.4 providing.; passages for. .the .assertief may nbe ejected -at ,less than :skinfpenetratng Yelsity..

mally occupy predetermined positions with respect `to the apparatus. The shaft has bearing adjacent its forward end within the reduced forward bore portion of sleeve 59. The latter as shown may be restrained from movement wtih respect to VVbody 35 by having screw threaded connection with endV plate or cap 49. The rear end of the shaft'has rotatable bearing inethe edges ofran opening through that cap. Y Adjacent'its forward end, the shaft may, present liattenedsurfaces 60 diametrically opposedftoeach other and intervening:roundedauege portionsY 61. These Vsurfaces.cooperate with the adjacent inner edges of locking slides 62 which are carried for radial movement withinV grooves forming a part of sleeve 59. Y

- As will be seen, the surface of bore 40 is formed with fan l.annular .series Yof teeth :in the Eform of :successive -grooves or :threads extending [throughout its effective Y length. YThemouteredges of the-'lockashoes 62 Yare;fornred examplej screwthreads to a bogl y 35 .which Willthus phragml'or e'xpan'sible member 37 khaving a peripheral an'gfe which isu anchored in position by :convenientlyinterpos'ingthe samebetween therear edge of thefcup-shaped body 18 and the Jnain body portion Vv35. As illustrated a washer jmay also Vbe vdisp'osedat this point to vprevent Vanyiaccidental leakage. The' body 35 is Yformed Vwith-'a nurnlierV of 'bores Whichrextend'tlnough to its YrearY face.

.Y 4 As` shown, these. bores may 'beY four in nurrrbrer'andhave `been*iden'tiedV by lthe Ynumerals 39,V 40 and .41. ,The bore;'39"(injallergemplications with the exceptionof Fig. i112);"provides4 a .main operating cylinder. i Bore 4,0-

Vprovides surfaces which form a part of the latch assembly; lThe provision'of ,bores 41 serve to lighten the'e'ntir YYapparatus and these may'also receive auxiliaryl powering j rneehamsms as lherein after described,

YDisposed -to'projeot into cylinder 39 is a pistonrZ mountsjanOfrring \43. A washer 44 has'its youter peripheralwedgethreaded `to erigageiwith threads :formed adjacent `the rear -of the bore.' 39. V'These threads 'also mountr-a'fwasher 45 `tothe yrear ofjwasherll and pro-` ing lthreadsofga thimble 48wlhich1`has its Vouterfface preferably threaded `to -bemounted in Ya -ftan'sversely A VVthreaded. openingxformed 1in ther-ear V*plate i491'offjlth'eV VVguirletl which'.lsgpreferablyslotted and :terminatesin 7a a niek?! tron :55110 be engagedibythe operating's'hank iston 422Y while rotation in theopposite; Y A itinlretracrion onthe partofrhat-piston; The preciseposition of the piston"m'aybedeterm'ined by registering any: desiredportion 'of the screw.y 4 7.V through visual observation .-by-rneahsfof slotS?,V in registry withV 'Y graduations 54. preferably. associatedY withV Yfthe ,outer facer ofairle'so. 1

5,2;(see figfS). It followsith'at vthe latterrrnay"H Rotation in one direction will result' in` engagement withtheinner edges ofshoes 62. V y ,Y If it is notdesired toprovide a latch mechanism; 'which with similarteeth. The forward sunfacesfof iteeth,63.iare conveniently inclined .44 'ffromja line .perpendiculariito the axis `Yofbore40. VThe rear.surfaces pofxthese teethare inclined, for example, 15awithjrespect Vto such a Vline. These degrees of inclination ,may `be 4varied.,throughouta wideY range.V However, Yit has beenfound .thatnthe values of 4the inclinations aforementionedare satisfactory. ,As afore brought out, the teeth on the outer edges of :theslide members will have similar characteristics. The for-V ward edgesl of Ithe slots defined inslee've 59 shouldulso be inclinedk as indicatedgat 64 with the .forward .edges ,of the lockshoes 62 being similarly surfaced. 'Ifhusya structure Y is( furnished which infresponse :to a thrust iexistingplon the part of body 35 to Vthe-leftas viewed in Fig.; l will normally tend .to urge the lockshoesorslides.AZinwaigdlyv towards the axis `o'f Vshlaft'5f5 incident to lthe inclin-ationof the .'butt'ressthreads uponfgthe .peripheries ofzthese vshoesV and theV cooperatingTV nature of the threadsformed -in theVY face of bore. 40. Tniswill assure aninstantaneous release ofjthe shoesfrom engagement with the bore -threadswhen the attened surfaces A of shaft .55 are adjacent theguner edges of the shoes. VAtthe sametimeQ/th'e latter, may-.be held in projected positions where.therthreadsinterengage tis.

is actuated in response' to a rotation'of Ithepar'ts,

feasible :to substitute therefor an assemblygwhchfwill. er f releasedin responsefto a push button.oj'leration'.` SuchlV an assembly hasjbeen shownfin'Figi "lll-iin Whichjthez' y i numeral A675'[indicatesja pushfbutton of Yany desired "coin-1:7 figuration `extending Athrough ,Y an opening in the rear :Wall= or cap 49 and Vhaving secured to vit a rod o'whichmden'ds 1 sagement withthe threads'forfmed vin an opening'thrpu'gh .Y cap 49' `and;aj spring 16S/is'conveniently'interposedfbg Ytweeuthejbfase of'this cup and .the L,heajdo'f.thepushjmt i Y ton 65 kso Vafs Yto-"normlallyiurgelthelatter andirodg' in an Y outward direction.Y 167 is *continued infthegfor'rngo'f'-f Ya .slottedgextension and; lock shoes Y69 are;- mounted: within Vand projectible :through these .rslotsifV The Vforward .end

ofrodf-terminates iria l-ieapdn70r whichis fprojectiblql f 1 Yinto the borei71'formedjat' theforward end jofith'e 'enten-j which:cooperatewith'itssurfaces. This'assembly prefer-.Y

ably. l.inclucles yasin Figs. l l,to .7 'inclusive and Figi 9,

shafthas'glimitedrotation incident'to a pin and vslot struc` a .somewhat redziced portion-v of "the when the rounded orcamsurfaces 61 of shaft-'55-areV-'inrY yInl gramas wardly extending arms :or legs of`shoes l69. Head 70 of the rod will bear against the innerv edges of the longitudinally extending'a'rm portions of shoes 69. Therefore the latter will be maintained in outward positions where the buttress threads 63 of the shoes and parts are in interlocking engagement. However, should button 65 be projected inwardly, then rod 66 will be similarly moved. As cam surface 74 rides inwardly adjacent surface 73, cam surface 72 will be passing the forward ends of shoes 69. With the parts subjected to pressure it is therefore apparent that shoes'69 will move inwardly as the cam surfaceV isY cleared and therefore the interlocking engagement between the threads or teeth willbe substantially instantaneously released. When push button 65 'is no longer subjected toY pressure, then under the inuence of spring 68, it will be moved rearwardly with respect to body 35. Under those circumstances, cam portions 74 will cooperate with cam portion 73 to thrust the shoes outwardly at points adjacent their rear ends. Simultaneously, cam surface 72 will cooperate with the for-l ward or left-hand ends of shoes 69 to thrust those parts outwardly. Therefore,.the position of the severalelements will be reestablished as shown in Fig.A l1.

According to the present teachings, Vbores y41 may eac receive springs 75 which bear at their opposite ends against the base portions of these boresand thevcap or plate 49. This has been illustrated inV Fig. ,4. Likewise, a number of power cylinders corresponding tocylf inder 39 may be provided in body 35, as suggestedV in Fig. 12. In that view a'pair of cylinders haveb'een shown Yat 76 and77 within which piston assemblies `78 and 79 ride; these assemblies corresponding generally or in-.detail to the one heretofore described under the Vreference numerals 32, to V48 inclusive. In such a case, two separate power screws 80 and-81'V will be provided, nwhich similarly to the screw 47,y provide socket portions adjacent their outer ends to receivethe. Operating end of crank 52 or a similar wrench structure. It is of course apparent that if *desiredV such crank or equivalentlcould be'in permanent; association with `the screws asY shown inFig. l o r Fig.. 12..y However, it will ordinarily be preferred for the sake of simplicity and to avoid acumbersomer arrangement of Vparts to employasinglegrnk whichmay be removed after Vit has once served its functional purposel Y- 1 11x.. Considering the operationof thejmechanism, it .will beassumedthatthe partsVV are assembled-:in the llllntler,

i shown in Fig. 1 and that the baseof cylinder- 39 is formed with an opening `communicating with cup36 and through which. a vpreferably `headed, pin 82 extendsr-As illustrated the shank of, this pin is formed with;V slots. @The areasgof the slots are suchthatthefpin serves asa metering structure or unit to restrict the yelocityof uid Vflow, from the cavity ofthe cuptofthe interior of the cylinder. Similar pins will be employed ingeach-.ofthe cylinders 76 and 77 ifa .structure such as A-has beenshowrnjin Fig;

l-Zis employed. In thatstructure, (ifspace permits) Yor inthe structure showiijlinl Figs. Vl-{to 7 inclusive, springs 75 may Vbei'disposed within the cavities orbores 41. It isfpreferred that springs v orother expansibley assemblies buhus utilized-although they. may of course be dispensed with...The interior of: cylinder 39 and the` cavity defined bythe inner face of the, expansible member of diaphragm 317. are .lled withY flowable material such as light grease, or other suitable liquid.VV The space interveningthe inner frac'eof pistonlS and the force accumulator as defined' bygdiaphragm37 is filled with-an, elasticl uid ,under pressure. To this end, it is preferred to employ nitrogen gas under pressure of for examplefrom 1,000 lbs.-to 2000'lbs. to the, squareinch; 'Thefgas isintroduced by injecting it through'- a `suitable nozzle through bore.'83 of plunger 19. e After the desired pressure value has been reached, then a sealing screw-E84 may-be disposed withintle plunger '-recess' and a' body of sealing material Y-85 such-fas wax may be appliedl toi prevent' any escape -of the gas. Under Vthese circumstances Vand as shown ini full lines in Fig. 1, the expansible force accumulator 37 will be substantially collapsed and all liquid will in elect b e displaced past pin 82 into the interior of cylinder 3 9. f

With shaft 55 orrod 66 in their normal positions'under which body 35 is prevented from moving outwardly'to thus retain piston 18 in retracted position, it follows'that an'operator may'turn screw 47 as in Fig. l and thus cause a displacement of the body of liquid fromV that cylinder past the metering pin 82 into the space dened by cavity 36 and Ydiaphragm 37. This will have the re'- sult of expandingfthe force accumulator againstthe lpi-essurewithinpiston .18 to lthus further compress the gas within that member. At that time or previously, Vloading cap 16 may be dismounted and an ampule` disposed within the medicament chamber or space. As cap 16 is tightened, cannula 30 willpenetrate Ystopper 26. Accordingly, communication be establshedwith the body-of the medicament by the bore` of the needle portion. As the partsreach their nal position, liquid will be forced through that bore and the orice 32 to vent'or void all air. --Havingfselected the site of injection, nozzle'31 is caused to overlie that site with its parts 33 and the mouth ofthe orice in contact with the adjacent surface. If nowthe latch mechanismis releasedit will be understood, `due to the camming cooperation of the parts, Vthat such :release will be.substantiallyinstantaneous. Under 'these-Y ciricumstances, body 35 will be-free'toprojectcarrying with it piston ,18 and'plunger 19. As is apparent, such proje tion will be caused by the pressure of the gas acting on the outer face of-thel expansible unit dening the pressure accumulator. Projection, however,vwill not be uncontrolled because of the provision of the metering-plug vor plugs 82. Unless sooner interrupted by an Cilggement between disk 46 and washer. 45 `(in` the 4case of fractional dosages), projection will continue until the outer face of piston v18 'lies adjacent the rear face of nose piece 15. There will be substantially no shock release of'the parts; nor;will there be any really perceptible? noise" while' the parts are shifting. With piston 18 Yprojected to thepoint indicated, plunger 19will have moved from lthe position shownin Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 7 at which substantially all medicament 25 will have been discharged through orifice 32. y

Incident-.tor theforward movement ofplunger 19 the wax, parain ,or other displaceable material 28 will: have extruded rearwardly between the face of the plungerand the adjacent face ot' tube 24. .The amount so moved will 'be'comparatively small." However, yit will-have eX- erted pressure against ring 20 and displaced the material of the same tothrust againstsleeve 21 which will in turn thrust against sleeve 22. An effective seal has existed between ring 20 and the rear edge of the ampule incident to the pressures exerted against the partsA as loadingc'p 16 has been tightened. i Therefore, there will be no danger ofthe displaceable material 28 moving to undesirable locations. The Vthrust exerted by that material against ring 20 will-have caused" `a constriction of sleeves 21 and 22 around thebody `of the ampule to prevent a'bursting of the latter. The'rcmainder of the mass 28 which does not eventually inter-LA pose itself between plunger 19 and the inner face of tube 24 will remain between the 'forward end of plunger 19 and piston stopper 27 as shown in Fig. 7. i If nowthe crank 52 or its equivalent is applied tothe socket 51 operating screw 47 may be turned 'toiretract piston .354 to the position shown in Fig.' 1. During` retraction, if springs 75 are/employed, they be pressed. A Such compressing will involveonly tible additional effort on the-part of the operator in ing the screw. On the other hand, if thesejspringsbe'. each of 50 lbs. value then `they Ywill increase the force on body 35 and piston 18 to the amount of 100 lbs. Ifhlai'g'r' or'smaller springs or other'cornpressibl'e expedients"are` employed, rthen-the results will-.be varied accordingly.'Y Ylf i110 'springs 'fare employed, then the body..,of eompr'essible Within the piston may' be solely` relied upon yto produce fthe ;desired thrust; Y Obviously, :any desired .combination inyolvinga gproper number of compressible assemblies andiprojectible .pistons may beemployed. If azstructure 5 :such as isshown in Fig. '-12 is utilized, then the .projection :of-'bothpistons 18and 7.9 will `assurej'a eompressionzeffect :such that the Vexpan'sible member {or atorce'accumulator will ghe zexpanldedt V Returning to the iillustration'oFigs'. 1'to'7i'nclusive it y10 A.willybc 'understoodthat with yboth/'235,properly retracted,

-the of ltldowable material withinthe interior 'of the Lexpansiblermem'berr37'will be' forcedi through the passage Y with-which ;th'e:mete1ing pin .82 is 'associated into, the-bore lof zeylinder 39.- Simultaneously lwith 'the retraction of l5 .piston 42,' body .35 and lpiston .1'8'will be retracted to .withdraw plunger *19, .from the medicament chamber. VTltterefore loading Scap16 may be dismounted, the' spent mpulegmay be removed and a fresh ampule substituted.

After the'loading Vcap isj'reappliedto the nose piece, 20'

piston 42.is again projected yby crank 52 within cylinder 32. lt is to `be .remembered that the flatch .structurewhether ofiV the type shown in Figs. y1 to 7 or l l-will retain -body 35 from projecting'during the interval neces- Y n sary to move piston 42 to apoint where the pressure ac- 25 cumulatiefy has received VVthe desired charge vof owable material. That latch will also 'have preventedV the parts frommovingif spring-75 were employed and compressed Y during thezretraction of body 35; In Yany event, with Y pistonz projected, theparts arenowready for lfiring or V30 discharge-immediately upon the release 'of the latch .structure*V A safore 'brought out,V dueito the. design ofY that Y structure angactuation'of the latch control will causer'a Y virtuallyinstantaneous. release 'of the restraint on .body 35? VWhilpjin,manylfSPtSrit is preferred 'to employ Pan 35 anipule ofjthenoveldesign' especially'as shown in Figs.V l.

andi/7,V adle'rent medicament-containing unit may be employed.V Suc-bja unit has'bleen Yshowninflig. wand Y involves an 'assembly which may be 'reiilled-for repeated use] jllhis ,will berrofiafspecial'valuez for exampldin the 40 carseirofV persons suffering from"diabete's. Thus', asfshown iti-that viewthenumerali83 indicates the nose pieceof thevapparatustorthe forwardr` end of which-La loadingcap i' 84 is removably applied. Extending through the ycentral V aperture cf t`hatcap isanozzle 85 adjacent the Vbase of 5 'which aangeporticn--S extends, outwardly. This/base f' portinfalso preferablyhincludes an inwardlytaperedV surfaceterminaring inf aangelportion 88. yA cup 89er Vrubber.Qnsimilanmaterial isp'rovidedwith an inwardly Y 'extendingjlange 9,0 adjacent 'its openrend. Thislange '50' portion bears between flanges; 861and S'Sau'cl .rests .in seal fing Contact with the tapered surface 87. Preferably ras shown,jup189 Sis' tapered towards its-base so that an'n- Vterjveningspace Q1 exists between' thefinner'poition of the cup `and the encircling sleeve 92.' VThe latt'e'r is, Vof course, 55

associated-with the 'nose piece S3. Aw'asher 93lfprefer-` ablyVpncircles-jplunger'.19Vandris disposed Vadjacent they bajsffffh c3111. i f 'Y V y Z'It` vis preferred that the cup be thus'tapered rather than tapering the sleeve v972. This-assists inthe maintenance 50 I of the sealA betweenV the [cup lilangefrand Vthe base' of the Y Y' nozzle. l Thus, alspplunger k19 projects to correspondingly` 'move' the .ibase ofthe cup, vthe sidewalls :ofithe l'a'tter bore Tof sleever'9'2 'and detaching'thepnozzle assembly from;

1' filtrecup;V `With-such detachment;.the interiorofVthe-latter may be. cleaned by sterilization or otherwise'gand the same Y v K p ftllenozzleassembly.s hreaftertfthe"interior 7s tion faspeeitcallyaforeqoted afeaehieyeq: *Obvioinlj the 1paitsfn 'thefposit'ions Vs'h'owninH sembly Vwill maintain fthe 'Pappa cup .is :inserted Yinto :the bore of sleeve9'2. After this loading cap 84 is lagain mounted with the-'end ofno'zzle 85 extending-throughiitsaperture Preferably-during the tinalfstage :ofythis remounting', theparts Vwill vbejprdportioned sothat a slight amount fof thezmedicament will,

under :pressurejsquee'ze through the -fori'ce lof tlie nozzle Y Y means of suitable igraduations'zsuch -fas'f54, .portionsfeare' ried by the'iscrwsmay ifurnish .registers .'Th'esre'lrespeotively indicate volume idf dosage .andp'ressure "The ad; justment of Tthe'parts according to the' latter indication Will,j offcourse, vary the depth of penetrating -consistent With l'thertluidity of the "medicament and the size Tof the injection orifice'. VWhere a fractional dosage is involved, then thecorrespondin'g pressure screw w'illbe adjusted to va point so that body 35 is only ypartially projected when the'latchlisreleased Y Finally, lreferring it'o Figs. 13, 14 'and V1'5,V it will be seen that an alternative form 'of 'latch' mechanismY"hasY been shown over that ilflustratedpriina'rfily' in Fig. 1l.'V Thisstrncture 'willrfunctioniwith relative ease even under heavylloadsisothatgan'nst'anta'neous release'of the parts is assured. In 'view'of 'thefact'tht these parts largely correspondre the elements 1ofgtheV assemblies 'as'fshown in vll, 2, fl'fand `7, sjmilaifirf'erence numerals have been V.employed to indicate substantially' identical units.

Thus; overland beyond these units,` Jthezmimeral 95 indicatersa pushbu't'ton for actator'jvhicli may readily beprojecte-dLby the Stinger or thumb fof Y the operator and rtowhich Vthere is' secured an operating s`te`1'n921'vby meansY of "a screw threaded connection Acrarffotherwise. 'A spring g 96 `v`servesnormally to maintain the stem Vandv actuator inth'efposition *shownin.Fig.z1'3.v Gpposedenotches are formed inthe face =of the stem 94'at points substantially' midway ofi-'the ends f'of'the latter.' Thesenotchs'in clude Outwardlyaring surfaces 97Y within which rollers Y "98'orfother'antfrition'elements ride. V'Ac'ljacent their Yinnerz enlsst'en"1's' )con'st1'l.1t`:'tedl in acc'o'rdance" with the' Y j 'present teachings v-willpal'sr 'includenotches'presenting 'cam' -orfinelin'ed surfaces 9'9; into which roller/51101)'V ride.

Spacer platesY f'1f01 are conveniently 'interposed-between y the' rollers' 9'8 and S100. 'If/desired, "th'es'e, plates. might forni a partera retainer 'structure Y*of* eonventional'gdef 'signifi-In' any event,-.antifrict'ion elements/9B"and'lll bear-'against the 'inner edgesoi shoes 6'2.

'Ihejthreadsrteethfbetweenlthes shoes'and thi-'Qad-;YV Y jacent surfaces 'with which they: cooperate are formed the irlanderlheretloffjredescribed;V Itnis'apparentthatwith l Fig 'isfrheiatcii When pressure is 'exertedlgon'fbut'ton 9'5, stem 94 willfbe Projected against t'he action'of` f'spring-96'. .-With such projectiomrollers Q Sfand'lt) will 'moveY,overfsurfacesiy V97V Tand Y92th occupy'zthe positions shown :in Fig. 14,k In Y 1 'I'P'S'D, Ythe Shoesjare completelyfclear Vofl the jadzr jacentsurfacesfwith w'h' h"they int erlock, When pres;V

sure is released on' button 95,7it,togetherwithistelni will 'return it'o' i the' position shown g in Fig. 13.'l 'During' this movement, jthe zrl'lg'ejrs jor other, Vantifrict'it'm V elements will ride overthe ca V'wardrly'"from"the jected tol'the desired positions. l l

surfaces97and 99: and lnov'efou-t- Y L Y Y slof stem' '94. 'lflier'efore.''theshoes'.` lail'nst which t'h'e antifrictionelements bear will'befpr; y

`9 numerous changes in construction and rearrangement of the parts might be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims:

I claim: y

l.' A hypodermic injection apparatus including incombination a body presenting a medicament-receiving space, a plunger projectible with respect to said space to expel medicament therefrom, a member connected to move with said plunger, an expansible force accumulator connected to said member, means forming a part of said apparatus whereby said accumulator reacts upon said member to projectthe latter and said plunger, a plurality of separate means movably carried by said body and each operatively connected with said force accumulator to in aggregate expand the latter to the limits of its capacity, further means movably carried by said body and operatively connected to said member to retract the same, expansible power means supplemental to said force accumulator arranged to be contracted during such vretraction and releasable latch means by said body and cooperating with said Ymember to Vnormally retain the latter against movement. l l y '2. A hypodermic injection apparatus including in combination a body presenting a medicament-receiving space, a plunger projectible with respect to said space to expel medicament therefrom, a member connected to move with said plunger, an expansible force accumulator connected to said member, means forming a part of said apparatus whereby said accumulator reacts upon said member to project the latter and said plunger, said member being formed with a plurality of bores, a piston disposed within one of said bores, the latter being formed with an opening providing a passage to said force accumulator, means movably connected to said body for projecting said piston and forcing uid contained within said bore to said accumulator to expand the latter and releasable latch means carried by said body and extending within another bore of said member to normally retain the latter against movement.

3. A hypodermic injection apparatus including in combination a body presenting a medicament-receiving space, a plunger projectible with respect to said space to expel medicament therefrom, a member connected to move with said plunger, an expansible force accumulator counected to said member, means forming a part of said apparatus whereby said accumulator reacts upon said member to project the'latter and said plunger, said member being formed with a plurality of bores, a piston disposed within one of said bores, the latter being formed with an opening providing a passage to said force accumulator, means movably connected to said body for projecting and retracting said piston and in such projection forcing duid contained within said bore to said accumulator to expand the latter and releasable latch means carried by said body and extending within another bore of said member to normally retain the latter against movement.

4. A hypodermic injection apparatus including in combination abody presenting a medicament-receiving space, a plunger projectible with respect to said space to expel medicament therefrom, a member connected to move with said plunger, an expansible force accumulator connected to said member, means forming a part of saidapparatus whereby said accumulator reacts upon said member to project the latter and said plunger, said member being formed with a plurality of bores, a piston disposed within one of said bores, the latter being formed with an opening providing a passage to said force accumulator, means movably connected to said body for projecting and retracting said piston and in such projection forcing liuid contained within said bore to said accumulator to expand the latter, releasable latch means carried by said body and extending within another bore of said member to normally retain the latter against movement, and expansible power means supplemental to said force accumulator arranged to be contracted during such retraction.

5. A hypodermic injection apparatus including in combination a body presenting a medicament-receiving space, a plunger projectible with respect to said space to rexpel medicament therefrom, a member connected to move with said plunger, an expansible force accumulator connected to said member, means forming Va part of said apparatus whereby said accumulator reacts upon said member to project the latter and said plunger, said member being formed with a plurality of bores, a piston disposed within one of said bores, the latter being formed with an opening providing a passage to said force accumulator, means movably connected to said body for projecting and retract'-` ing said piston and in such projection forcing fluid contained within said bore to said accumulator to expand the latter, releasable latch means carried by said body and extending within another bore of said member to normally retain the latter against movement, and a spring disposed within another of the bores of said member arid arranged to be compressed during the retraction of the latter to supplement the expansive force of siad accu'- mulator. Y

6.` In a hypodermic injection apparatus a nozzle disposable adjacent the surface to be injected, said nozzle comprising a body formed with an orifice for the passage of medicament, such orifice terminating in the face of au outer skin-contacting surface of said body and said face having a plurality of indented portions to provide anchoring means for said nozzle to prevent lateral movements of the latter with respect to the adjacent skin surface.

7. In a hypodermic injection apparatus a nozzle disposable adjacent the surface to be injected, said nozzle comprising a body formed with an orifice for the passage of medicament, such orifice terminating in the face of an outer skin-contacting surface of said body, said face having a plurality of indented portions to provide anchoring means for said nozzle to prevent lateral movements of the latter with respect to the adjacent skin surface and said face being also formed with liquid venting passages extending outwardly from points adjacent said orifice.

8. In a hypodermic injection apparatus a nozzle disposable adjacent the surface to be injected, said nozzle rupted ange extending outwardly from said surface in concentric relationship to said orifice to provide an .anchoring element to prevent lateral movement of said nozzle with respect to an adjacent skin surface.

9. In a hypodermic injection apparatus a nozzle disposable adjacent the surface to be injected, said nozzle comprising a body formed with an orifice for the passage of medicament, such orifice terminating in the face of an outer skin-contacting surface of said body, a ange extending outwardly from said surface in concentric relationship to said orifice to provide an anchoring element to prevent lateral movement of said nozzle with respect to an adjacent skin surface and said ange being interrupted to provide liquid venting passages extending outwardly from points adjacent said orifice.

10. In a hypodermic injection apparatus in combinaf tion a body presenting an ampule-receiving chamber, an a-mpule therein, a ring of Vdisplaceable material mounted within said chamber and dening the rear surface thereof, a plunger projectible through said ring into said chamber, a cap deningthe forward end of said chamber, means providing a quick, detachable and adjustable connection between said cap and said body, the distance existing between the inner faces of said cap and ring being less than the length of the arnpule to be received in said chamber, the rear end of such an ampule accordingly embedding into the forward face of said ring as said cap is tightened and a sleeve of displaceable material in operative association with said ring within said chamber and providing an 11 Y Y Vampnie-receiving bore; said sleeve extending throughout the entirelength ofsaid chamber and having'resiliency greaterthan themate'rialiof'said ring. i l if f 'Y 11. A hypodermicinjection apparatusincludingincomlbination a body presenting a medicament-receiving space,

accumulator to expand the-latter, said memberbeing formed with'a bore, a lock-slide disposed withinsaid bore;

t means lfor shifting said slide towards the `bore face,inter locking teeth formed-in the adjacent surfaces of said .slide 'and bore and means for effecting aretractive movement o'frsaid slide. i Y .t Y

.1:2. A hypoderrmic injection apparatus including in combination a body presenting a medicament-receivingspace,

a plunger projectible with respectto said space to vexpel medicament therefrom, a member connected 'to move with said plunger, an expansible force accumulator connected tosaid member, means forming a part of said apparatus Y whereby said accumulator reacts upon said member to 112 1p1-eject thelatter and said plunger, VVmeans moy'ably carried by said body and operatively connected withfsai-d fforce accumulator to` expand the' latter, 'said member being formed with a bore, a lock slide disposed within said .'bore, Y

means for shifting said slide towards the bore face,-inter locking teeth formed in the adjacent surfaces roftsaidslide Y andbore and means for effecting .a retractive movement of sai'drslide, said teethprovidinga buttress thread with the slopes inclined n the direction of .projection extending at -a lesserangle to the axis of said bore than the opposite t 'Y slope of said thread. y

References Cited in the le fof thisspatenty UNITED srATnsfPATENTs Y Smoot ea. f njSe'p't. 29', 1953 

